In the Zone?

especially FOR THE TYPICAL LAYPERSON, THE
RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR EVEN SMALL-SCALE CONSTRUCTION IN CABARRUS COUNTY can
be unnerving.

Planning

The
Planning and Development Department Planning Division is responsible for both
current and long-range planning activities. These activities include:

Subdivision Administration

Subdivision
Administration includes reviewing proposed divisions of property and the plat
(drawing) that is required by the Subdivision Ordinance and filed in the office
of the Register of Deeds.

If
you are thinking about dividing your property to sell or to give to a family
member, contact Planning Staff to make sure that the division meets the
standards of the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances.

Processing Rezoning Requests

Property
owners may file a petition to propose changing the current zoning of a parcel
to

accommodate an existing use, a new use or new development. Planning Staff
facilitates the review of these requests and presents them to the Planning and
Zoning Commission for consideration.

If
you are thinking about changing the use of your property, contact Planning
Staff to set up a pre-application meeting to explore your options.

Processing Conditional Use
Permits

Some
uses in the Zoning Ordinance require an additional permit be filed, reviewed
and acted upon by the Planning and Zoning Commission acting as the Board of
Adjustment. Planning Staff facilitates the review of these requests and
presents them to the Planning and Zoning Commission for consideration. This
process applies to all uses listed in the zoning ordinance as a “C” in the
permitted use table.

The
planning documents for these areas are reviewed periodically to determine if
updates are needed based on development or trends in the area. Planning Staff
coordinates intergovernmental review of these documents, as well as public
input sessions to gather information for plan updates as needed.

Planning
Staff is responsible for maintaining the Zoning, Subdivision and Floodplain
Ordinances and processing amendments as needed.

Zoning

The
zoning division of Planning and Development is responsible for current zoning
activities and ordinance enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Cabarrus
County.

Zoning
affects all structure and land use throughout Cabarrus. Accordingly, no
structure shall be erected, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered, nor
shall any structure or land be used except in compliance with both the general
and applicable district regulations or the zoning ordinance. Zoning division
staff is responsible for issuing permits to ensure new structures, additions,
uses and businesses are in compliance with the applicable zoning district
standards.

If
you are thinking about building a new home, adding on to your current home, building
a garage or storage building, installing a swimming pool or starting a business
from your home, contact the zoning division for the appropriate permitting
requirements.

Site Plan Review

Zoning
division staff is responsible for facilitating the site plan review process.
Site plan review is typically required for any development not considered
single-family detached residential or considered an accessory use to a
single-family detached residential unit.

To
find out if site plan review is required for a project you would like to
propose in Cabarrus County, contact zoning.

Zoning Enforcement

Zoning
ordinances establish minimum standards to meet for properties located in
unincorporated Cabarrus. These standards help make the county a better place to
live, work and do business. When the zoning ordinance is not met or on-site
activities were not properly permitted, a zoning violation and zoning complaint
may be filed.

Once
a complaint is filed and verified as such, zoning enforcement staff has the
authority to issue a zoning violation and enforce penalties for non-compliance
with the ordinance.

If
you have questions about any zoning division function, please call
704-920-2141.